Photograph came about almost by accident: bassist Ron Brendle, pianist Frank Kimbrough and drummer Al Sergel ran down a bunch of new pieces and some Ornette tunes at a rehearsal session; it was recorded by an engineer friend who was testing out some new recording equipment. It’s Kimbrough’s name that will stand out for Cadence readers; indeed, if it weren’t for his contract with Palmetto Records this could well have been issued under his name. His three originals and Brendle’s “Passing By” mine a similar vein of downbeat prettiness, as if lyrically recalling once-strong emotions long since faded. The mood brightens once Kimbrough slips into one of his fluid, neatly turned improvisations, but the trio’s tastefully empathetic three-way dialogue never breaks the mood of cloistered reverie. It’s all beautifully done, but a mite syrupy at times, especially on the Ornette tunes: both “Comme Il Faut” and “Broken Shadows” end up on the wrong side of saccharine, while “Ramblin’” is irritatingly cutesy. Fans of the contemporary piano trio will enjoy this one, but it’s disappointing that Kimbrough’s left-of-centre, Herbie Nichols-influenced side never gets a look-in.

Nate Dorward

Cadence, October 2005